chapter 5 Flashcards
infection prevention
set of methods practiced in facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease
microorganism(MO)/microbe
living thing that is so small it is only visible under a microscope
infections
occurs when pathogens invade the body and multiply
pathogens
harmful microorganisms
localized infection
infection that is limited to a specific location in the body
systemic infection
affects the entire body; travels through the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, causes general sx
healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
an infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care
chain of infection
way of describing how dz is transmitted from one human being to another
six links in chain of infection
causative agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host – CRETES
causative agent
pathogenic microbe that causes dz (are everywhere)
reservoir
where pathogen lives and multiplies, can be human, animal, soil, or substance, lungs blood, large intestine
portal of exit
any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave, includes nose, mouth, eyes, cuts, GI (saliva, feces/vomit), GU (urine, semen, vaginal secretions), skin (cuts, blood, pus drainage)
mode of transmission
describes how the pathogen travels
direct contact
happens by touching the infected person or his secretions
indirect contact
results from touching an object contaminated by infected person (needle, dressing, tissue, linens), esp hands
portal of entry
body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter (nose, mouth, eyes, cuts, cracked skin, mucous membranes like mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, genitals)
suspectible host
uninfected person who would become ill
transmission
passage or transfer of most infectious dz can be blocked by using proper infection prevention practices
medical asepsis
refers to measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens, used in all healthcare settings
surgical asepsis
aka sterile technique, makes an object or area completely free of all microbes (not just pathogens)
malnutrition
when a person is not getting the proper nutrition
dehydration
occurs when there is inadequate amt of fluid in the body
OSHA
occupational safety and health administration, federal govt agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job
CDC
center for disease control and prevention, fed govt agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve health of individuals and communities